Background: Hypersensitivity to deer dander is rarely reported, with only 26 cases in the literature. Ours is the youngest reported case and the first reported case of anaphylaxis on exposure to a live deer.
Objective: Evaluation of a case of anaphylaxis in a young boy upon exposure to a deer.
Methods and results: A 4-year-old boy experienced hives, swelling, and shortness of breath requiring epinephrine following a deer exposure. He had one mild reaction 5 days prior to his anaphylaxis with an indirect exposure. A deer dander extract was made from fur supplied by the patient's mother. IgE-mediated reactivity was positive for deer and cattle by both selective skin prick method and RAST results.
Conclusion: Hypersensitivity to wild animals can lead to life threatening anaphylaxis, even in children. Passive transfer of antigen may occur, but needs further investigation.